Sussex Archaeological Collections: Relating to the history and antiquities of the counties of East and West Sussex
Sussex Archaeological Society, 2000. (updated 2022) https://doi.org/10.5284/1000334. How to cite using this DOI
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- ADS Collection: 285
- DOI:https://doi.org/10.5284/1000334
- How to cite using this DOI
The construction of the tower at Bolney Church
by GABRIEL BYNG
The fabric accounts for the building of Bolney tower provide important insights into the patronage of church construction and the organisation of building work in the early 16th century. Although they have long been identified as churchwardens' accounts, this paper argues that they are in fact private building accounts kept by the main patron of the new building work, John Bolney. As a result of this identification, his role in its planning and organisation may be studied. Far from being a disconnected member of the gentry, John Bolney led both the fundraising and the management of the project, providing patronage for local labourers, and received support from the wider parish, including free labour and donations. By studying the accounts in detail, it is also possible to extend our knowledge of how parochial building campaigns could be organised, with master mason and a few leading craftsmen from an urban workshop contracted for the design, cutting and laying. The bulk of the workforce was made up of local labourers, with some wealthy locals motivated by piety to give their time for free. New light is also shed on the timing of the tower's construction, its organisation and materials.
